The SADC Executive Secretary has called for urgent diplomatic intervention to reopen Goma International Airport and Kavumu Airport in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Elias Magosi made the appeal during the opening of the virtual extraordinary summit of SADC Heads of State and Government on Thursday.

The takeover of the two airports and the blockade of main supply routes by the M23 rebel group have worsened the insecurity and humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC.

Magosi stated that reopening the airports is essential to facilitate humanitarian assistance and enable SADC and its structures to find an immediate and effective solution for its mission.

He described the invasion of DRC territory by M23 and their external supporters, as well as the establishment of de facto authorities and illegitimate parallel administrations in some areas, as serious violations of international law.

Magosi noted that these acts demonstrate a clear and unapologetic defiance of both the Nairobi and Luanda Peace processes.

"To this end, collective efforts are ongoing in line with the SADC Mutual Defence Pact of 2003, to protect the people of the region from instability arising from the conflict and to address security challenges in accordance with international law," Magosi said.

The joint meeting of the SADC and East African Community Chiefs of Defence Forces on February 24 in Tanzania resulted in the development of a securitization plan for Goma and eastern DRC, which is part of the discussions at the extraordinary summit.